Jo's Lesson: Celebrating Relief Society

Celebrating Relief Society

On 17 March we celebrate the 174th birthday of the Relief Society.

To have a better understanding and appreciation of the Relief Society, how it can bless our lives, and enable us to bless the lives of others.

We are spirit daughters of God.

History of RS: In 1842, Joseph Smith recognised the highly-organised nature of the Latter-Day Saint women, and their desire to help in the building of the Nauvoo Temple.  The sisters had originally drafted a constitution and by-laws. The Prophet declared this offering to be pleasing unto the Lord. He organised them under the priesthood. The Relief Society has been organised under a divine and inspired manner.

How does being a member of the Relief Society inspire and uplift you? How does it help you rise above the world? How does it help you make changes in your life? How does it encourage you to serve others? How has Relief Society helped you realise the divine woman you truly are?

Get a copy of the Relief Society Declaration and read it often. Realise your purpose, your meaning and your direction.

Linda K Burton, General Relief Society President, said, "Each Spring, LDS Women commemorate the founding of the Relief Society. Know we are celebrating so much more than just a birthday."

We celebrate:

• Our Purpose
• Our Power
• Our Sisterhood
• Our Covenants with Heavenly Father
• Our Blessings we have received
• Our participation in the three-fold mission of the Church (Proclaim the Gospel, Perfect the Saints, Redeem the Dead)
• Our service to our fellow human beings
• Our Faith in Jesus Christ

How can we help each other? We each have significant contributions we can share with one another.

We can work in unity with our priesthood leaders. They are there to help and serve us.

We are part of a great worldwide sisterhood with seven million sisters. We are dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ. We are marvelous women! We must cherish one another. We must watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, so we may all sit down in Heaven together.

Relief Society March 2016 Newsletter

March 2016

Happy Easter!

Take some time this month to reflect upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its significance in your life.

Presidency Message

Celebrating 174 years
of Relief Society

What are we celebrating? We are celebrating who we are and what our work is. We are celebrating those who have gone before. And celebrating our purpose.

As Latter-Day Saint women think about the history of Relief Society,  we appropriately celebrate being taught by Joseph Smith in our early meetings… but may we stop and celebrate the blessing of having the teachings of modern day prophets in our day. We have the opportunity to learn together their words in our meetings,  just as our sisters in Nauvoo were taught by the prophet Joseph,  the living prophet in their day.

The purpose of Relief Society is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life. That is accomplished as sisters increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and personal righteousness,  strengthen families and homes as they make and keep sacred covenants,  and offer relief to those in need,  working in unity with priesthood holders. Understanding the purpose of Relief Society will not only bless the lives of individual women,  but it will also help them bless the lives of others in their homes and families and also in their communities.

Celebrate who we are. Beloved daughters of a loving Father in Heaven. We are dedicated disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are part of a great worldwide sisterhood. We are sisters.

Sister. Linda Burton
Relief Society general president
March 2015          

 Visiting Teaching Message

Created in the Image of God
(Click through for a full, printable message you can share with your sisters.)

Consider This
How does knowing that each person is created in God’s image help us in our association with others?

Calendar and Upcoming Events

Every Monday 6.30pm Fresh Brumby Bread can be collected from Sister Inley’s (84 Oakwood Drive, Waikiki)

Thurs 10th March, 10am Temple Trip for 11.30am session

Thurs 17th March 10am-12noon Homemaking Luncheon at Sister Marlene Percy’s (18a Vaux St, Rockingham). Bring a plate of food to share and ideas of crafts and arts to make and share.

Thurs 17th March, 6.30pm Relief Society 174th Birthday Celebration. Bring a friend, for a fun night at the Chapel

25-27 March—Easter! Remember the Atonement of Christ.

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YSA Activities

Sun 20th March, 6pm Stake YSA Devotional hosted by Rockingham YSA  Mandurah Chapel

Thurs 24th-Sat 26th (Easter Weekend) YSA Camp at HoneyMoon Pool 

Youth turning 17 this year (2016) are invited to participate in most YSA activities including Mission Prep & Institute classes(excludes overnight activities: i.e conventions, etc,).

Lessons

Relief Society (Auxiliary) Lessons

Mar 6  - Relief Society/Quorum Instruction
Mar 13 - Chap 5 "Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration"
Mar 20 - Chap 6 "The Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ"
Mar 27 - Teaching For Our Times: Pres Thomas S Monson "Keep the Commandments"

Sunday School Gospel Doctrine Lessons

Lesson  9 - “My Soul Delighteth in the Words of Isaiah”
Lesson 10 - “He Inviteth All to Come unto Him”
Lesson 11 - “Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ”

Lesson 12 - “Seek Ye for the Kingdom of God”

Pacific Area Plan 2016

Vision

To strengthen families and individuals by increasing faith and trust in Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Consider what you can do to support this month’s objective for yourself and your family. Jot down your ideas.

Objective this month: Increase Spiritual and Temporal Self-Reliance

Goals:

à Pay a full tithe and give a generous fast offering

à Seek learning and education

à Complete the “My Path to Self-Reliance” Initiative (available on www.lds.org)

Relief Society Workshop

Our Thursday Night Workshop this month involved several sisters sharing simple and nutritious recipes. Here are some of the recipes from that evening: Most only feature a few ingredients and are so simple to make. We had a delicious time!

Nancy’s Bread and Butter Pudding

· 4 slices toasted bread, cut into triangles

· 2 Tbsp currants or sultantas

· 1/4 cup sugar

· 2 tsp grated lemon rind

· 3 eggs

· 2 cups milk

Layer toast triangles, currants, sugar and lemon rind in an ovenproof dish. Beat eggs and milk together. Pour egg mixture over layers. Leave to stand for 15 minutes. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes until golden brown. Dust with icing sugar.

Maureen B’s Ricotta Dessert

· 500 grams ricotta cheese

· 200 grams finely chopped dates

· 2 Tbsp honey

· Few dashes of cinnamon

· Frozen berries for topping.

Blend ricotta, honey, dates and cinnamon until well mixed. Spoon into dessert dishes and top with berries. Tastes pleasantly like cheesecake.

Taania’s ABC and L Juice

Put through your juicer:

· 2 apples

· 4 carrots

· 2 fresh beetroots

· 1 lemon

Light, tangy, sweet and healthy. Makes 2-3 serves.

Taania’s Watermelon Smoothie

Blitz in your Bullet or blender:

· 1 apple

· 500 grams watermelon

· Few springs of fresh mint leaves

Refreshing and chock-full of vitamins and fibre.

 Heidi’s Basic Bread Recipe

· 1 tsp sugar

· 1 tsp salt

· 1 tsp active dry yeast

· 2-3 cups flour, as needed to make a smooth, non-sticky dough

· 1 c warm water (about 40-42°C)

Knead ingredients together for 10-15 minutes. Cover and let rise (30-60 minutes) until double in size. Punch down, knead for 5 minutes. Shape, place in bread pan and let rise a second time. Bake in 160°C oven for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Variant for Pizza dough: Add 2 Tbsp Olive Oil with warm water. Knead, then roll out as pizza bases. Top as desired. Bake pizza in 220°C oven for about 5-10 minutes until crust is light brown.

Tastes best warm from the oven.

Garlic Butter to spread on freshly baked bread

Let a 500 gram container of butter soften. Blend  in 1 tsp dry garlic granules and 2 Tbsp mixed dry herbs (of your choice).  Can refrigerate if you wish or spread onto freshly baked bread. Can also be spread onto toast for a yummy treat.

Arahi’s Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Combine into a jar:

· 1 1/4 cup coconut milk

· 1 Tbsp maple syrup

· 1/4 tsp sea salt

· 3 Tbsp cocoa powder

· 1/4 cup chia seeds (available in health food aisles at Woolies and Coles.)

Give ingredients a quick stir, tighten lid on the jar and give it a good shake until everything is blended. Refridgerate at least four hours or overnight.

To serve: Arahi recommends topping pudding with coconut flakes and raspberries (fresh or frozen). Hits the spot for that chocolate craving.